How to motivate your children?

IN YOUR DAILY DOSE: today is research that demonstrates punishment may not be the best way to motivate your spouse or your children.

MAKING CHANGES: Using positive reinforcement may be foreign to your communication, but it’s a skill well worth learning.

FACT OR FICTION: Discover what mature trees in your yard will do for your home. Yes, your yard looks better - but it’s more than that!

In The News

Researchers from the Institute of General Psychology from the University of Wurzburg made the discovery that negative reinforcement to correct behavior just may have the opposite effect than you intended.

The discovery was accidental while using electric shock during a psychological experiment with participants who agreed to be a part of the experiment. In their experiment they found that punishment wasn’t enough to stop an undesirable behavior.

While children need to know what they’re doing wrong, they also need to be rewarded for what they do correctly. This not only improves their behavior, but it also grows your relationship with them. This is true for your employees, your friends and anyone else you have a relationship with.

Making Changes

Psychologist recommend you compliment your employees even when they are JUST meeting the job expectations. This behavior has been linked with increasing the likelihood the employee will improve and exceed your expectations.

The same is true of your children as well. The old expression that you’ll catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar has been true for centuries and remains true today.

Daily Affirmation

express my ideas and concerns. My cousins can also share their ideas without worrying about being judged. Together, we can work through our issues to build healthier relationships. My cousins are a vibrant part of my social life. We spend time together to reconnect. We share hobbies and other activities that bring us closer together. I make an effort to attend their social functions and celebrate their milestones. I am also there to support them when times are challenging.

Fact or Fiction?

Trees are beautiful and add real curb appeal to your home. But, did you know that the trees add more than that? Properly placed around the home or building, they can reduce your air conditioning bills by 30 percent and 20 to 50 percent in energy used for heating. The effect of a young and healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditions. A mature tree will reduce the peak summer temperature in your home by 2 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Think about how much cooler it is to stand under those trees in the hot summer months - they do the same for your home and your heating bills!